College of Charleston coach Doug Wojcik hammered in report, accused of verbal abuse and physical threats

Charleston coach Doug Wojcik yells out to his players during their game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at TD Arena. Paul Zoeller/Staff

The College of Charleston's investigation of embattled head basketball coach Doug Wojcik exposed dozens of examples of him lashing out at players with obscenities, personal attacks and physical threats.

The 50-page report, obtained Thursday by The Post and Courier, was compiled with input from 12 players, 10 of them anonymous. Wojcik is painted as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who bullies and demeans players, disparages the value of their education and tells some they'll never amount to anything in life.

The probe also contains interviews with nine C of C staff members, including athletic director Joe Hull, who stated that the coach he hired in 2012 "is extremely difficult to manage."

The investigation was conducted by Charleston attorney Christy Fargnoli and submitted June 26 to Kathryn Bender, senior vice president and general counsel for the college. It includes an interview with Wojcik, in which the 50-year-old U.S. Naval Academy graduate defends himself with evidence of friendly texts and notes from players and their parents.

"Coach Wojcik cannot survive this," a College of Charleston player's father said Thursday.

Marlene Navor, director of athletics communications at the College of Charleston, said in the report that Wojcik treats others with a "bully mentality."

In one tirade aimed at Matt Sundberg, Wojcik calls the player a "fag." In other blasts, Wojcik degrades Sundberg's girlfriend.

A player says Wojcik asked him about a teammate: "Like Nori Johnson. Would you have recruited him? He's liar. He's a thief. You don't trust him, do you?"

Wojcik has been suspended without pay for the month of August, docked a month's pay ($33,000) and has agreed to undergo counseling.

Glenn McConnell, president of the College of Charleston only since Tuesday, released a statement Thursday.

"The College of Charleston treats all personnel matters with the utmost seriousness," McConnell said. "The College is committed to acting appropriately and responsibly to address any issues involving College personnel and students."

Wojcik on Thursday answered The Post and Courier's release of the report with an emailed statement.

"I cooperated with the investigation and accepted President (George) Benson's decision and sanctions," Wojcik said. "I'm sincerely remorseful and apologize to those I've hurt. I've already started making amends and working on correcting my actions. The College and I are grateful these concerns were brought to our attention, and every effort will be made to improve relations between myself and members of the men's basketball program."

In defense of Wojcik, current assistant coach Joe Wallace said he has never heard Wojcik call a player a "fag." Wallace also said the program was too "laid back" under former head coach Bobby Cremins and that players had trouble adjusting to a new style.

Wojcik's own testimony in the report states that Lynn Barry, mother of guard Canyon Barry, called the Cougars' coach "Mike Rice" at a booster club function. Rice is the former Rutgers head coach fired in 2013 after a video showed him berating players verbally and attacking them physically during practice.

Amir Abdur-Rahim, once Wojcik's top assistant coach at the College of Charleston and now at Texas A&M, described Wojcik talking to Cougars player Canyon Barry with reference to Rick Barry, Canyon's father and an NBA Hall of Fame player.

"I'm done with Rick Barry," Wojcik said to Abdur-Rahim. "I don't see what the big deal is about your family. Your dad is a (expletive). I wish you were more of a (expletive). Your mom is really negative. You're just like her."

In another rant reported by an anonymous player, Wojcik yelled, "Do you know what we used to do with liars in the Navy? Kick their (butts) and throw them overboard."

The report concludes with determination that the players had "no apparent credibility issues" and that incidents described "likely occurred."

Here are excerpts from the 50-page report on College of Charleston basketball coach Doug Wojcik:

College of Charleston Athletic Director Joe Hull on Wojcik:

"He is extremely difficult to manage because he doesn't seem to want to be managed. The entire athletic staff walks around on egg shells because of the way he conducts himself."

Former College of Charleston Assistant basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim on Wojcik:

"He goes way overboard. He coaches with a bully mentality. It's very unfortunate for the players because they are good kids."

College of Charleston Anonymous Player No. 7:

Wojcik to former C of C guard/forward Matt Sundberg: "You're soft. You're a (sissy). ... Your mom tells me I should play you more. My wife is five times the woman your girlfriend will ever be. I hope your girlfriend breaks up with you and you end up in the psych ward."

College of Charleston Anonymous Player No. 2

Wojcik to former C of C forward Theo Johnson:

"Why are you getting bad grades? This school isn't even hard. When you graduate, you might as well burn your degree because it's not worth anything."

College of Charleston Anonymous Player No. 1

Wojcik to C of C center David Wishon during practice:

"Your parents did you a disservice because they made you think you're better than what you really are. ... no one likes you. You're 7-(expletive)-2 and no one likes you."

College of Charleston Anonymous Player No. 3

Wojcik to C of C center Glen Pierre during a film session:

"Alright then. Go stand in the middle of the street and get hit by a car."

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